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BIO

KARA YOUNG recently starred on Broadway as ‘Lutiebelle Gussie Mae Jenkins’ in Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch, for which she won a 2024 Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play. She had made history prior to her win, as her third consecutive Tony nomination makes her the first Black performer to be nominated three years in a row. Additionally, her performance in Purlie Victorious has earned her an Outer Critics Circle Award, Drama Desk Award and Drama League nomination. Young was most recently seen starring in MCC Theater’s Table 17. In 2022, she made her Broadway debut in Lynn Nottage’s Clyde’s, for which she earned a Theatre World Award and her first Tony nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play. In 2023, she was Tony nominated for her work in Cost of Living and won an Obie Award for her performance in the Classical Theatre of Harlem’s production of Twelfth Night. Kara can next be seen starring in the feature film Is God Is. She can also be seen in Boots Riley’s I’m a Virgo for Prime Video, which earned her an Indie Spirit Nomination for Best Breakthrough Performance. She appeared in HBO Max’s “The Staircase” as well as Netflix’s “The Punisher” and starred in the winning Sundance Short, Hair Wolf. Kara also starred in MCC Theater’s All The Natalie Portmans, for which she received a Lucille Lortel Award Nomination. Her other stage credits include Halfway Bitches Go Straight To Heaven, New Englanders, Revolving Cycles Truly and Steadily Roll’d and Pretty Hunger.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

Purpose Purpose
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2025
Performer
Table 17 Table 17
[Off-Broadway]
MCC Theatre Off-Broadway Premiere Production, 2024
Jada
Purlie Victorious Purlie Victorious
[Broadway]
Broadway Revival Production, 2023
Lutiebelle Gussie Mae Jenkins
Cost of Living Cost of Living
[Broadway]
Manhattan Theatre Club Original Broadway Production, 2022
Jess
Clyde's Clyde's
[Broadway]
2021
Performer
All the Natalie Portmans All the Natalie Portmans
[Off-Broadway]
MCC Theater's Off-Broadway World Premiere, 2020
Cast
Halfway Bitches Go Straight to Heaven Halfway Bitches Go Straight to Heaven
[Off-Broadway]
Atlantic Theatre's Off-Broadway World Premiere, 2019
Cast
The New Englanders The New Englanders
[Off-Broadway]
Manhattan Theatre Club Off-Broadway World Premiere, 2019
Performer
The Revolving Cycles Truly and Steadily Roll'd
[Off-Broadway]
World Premier Production, 2018
Karma

Movies

Lunatics Lovers & Actors
[ 2009 ] Leticia
Saving Julian
[ 2012 ] Kara
Cybornetics
[ 2012 ] Lisa
Cybornetics: Urban Cyborg
[ 2013 ] Lisa
Fishbowl
[ 2015 ] Audition Monitor
Bruce!!!!
[ 2017 ] DJ Love Jones
Meat Puppet: The Filmed Experience
[ 2017 ] Harley Patrón
King of Knives
[ 2020 ] Darla
Materna
[ 2020 ] Kara
Chemical Hearts
[ 2020 ] LolaLaHaynes
Blow Up My Life
[ 2022 ] Charlie August
Master
[ 2022 ] Scha
We Strangers
[ 2024 ] Mari Winters

TV Shows

Great Performances
Lutiebelle Gussie Mae Jenkins

Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 2024 - Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play

Kara Young, Purlie Victorious

Drama League Awards - 2024 - Distinguished Performance

Kara Young, Purlie Victorious


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2024 - Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Play

Kara Young, Purlie Victorious


winner
Tony Awards - 2024 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

Kara Young, Purlie Victorious

Drama Desk Awards - 2023 - Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play

Kara Young, Cost of Living

Drama Desk Awards - 2023 - Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play

Kara YoungTwelfth Night

Tony Awards - 2023 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

Kara Young, Cost of Living


winner
Obie Awards - 2022 - Performance Award

Kara YoungTwelfth Night


winner
Theatre World Awards - 2022 - Theatre World Awards

Kara Young, Clyde's

Tony Awards - 2022 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

Kara Young, Clyde's

Videos

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News


Photos: LaTanya Richardson Jackson Receives Portrait at Sardi's Photo
Photos: LaTanya Richardson Jackson Receives Portrait at Sardi's
by Bruce Glikas - Mar 27, 2025

LaTanya Richardson Jackson, currently starring on Broadway in Purpose, was recently honored with her portrait at the iconic Sardi's. BroadwayWorld was there for the unveiling and you can check out photos here!
Photos: Whoopi Goldberg Visits PURPOSE on Broadway Photo
Photos: Whoopi Goldberg Visits PURPOSE on Broadway
by Bruce Glikas - Mar 27, 2025

Whoopi Goldberg recently paid a visit to the Hayes Theatre, home of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' new play Purpose. BroadwayWorld was there and you can check out photos here!
Video: Inside Opening Night of PURPOSE on Broadway Photo
Video: Inside Opening Night of PURPOSE on Broadway
by Joey Mervis - Mar 19, 2025

The stars came out to celebrate Monday at the Hayes Theatre, where Branden Jacobs-Jenkins's new play Purpose celebrated its opening night. Watch in this video as we take you inside the opening night festivities.
Photos: PURPOSE Stars on the Opening Night Red Carpet Photo
Photos: PURPOSE Stars on the Opening Night Red Carpet
by Bruce Glikas - Mar 18, 2025

Purpose officially opened last night, March 18, at the Helen Hayes Theater, featuring Phylicia Rashad making her Broadway directorial debut. Get a first look at the stars of the production on the red carpet here!
Photos: PURPOSE Takes Opening Night Bows Photo
Photos: PURPOSE Takes Opening Night Bows
by Bruce Glikas - Mar 18, 2025

Purpose officially opened last night, March 18, at the Helen Hayes Theater, featuring Phylicia Rashad making her Broadway directorial debut. BroadwayWorld was there and you can check out photos from opening night here!
Review Roundup: Phylicia Rashad Directs PURPOSE By Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' On Broadwa Photo
Review Roundup: Phylicia Rashad Directs PURPOSE By Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' On Broadway
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 18, 2025

The great Phylicia Rashad makes her Broadway directorial debut, with PURPOSE by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, opening tonight at the Helen Hayes Theater. Find out how the critics felt about their visit with the influential and dysfunctional Jasper family on Broadway. Read the reviews!
Photos: First Look at Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' PURPOSE Photo
Photos: First Look at Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' PURPOSE
by Nicole Rosky - Mar 17, 2025

Written by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, and directed by Phylicia Rashad in her Broadway directorial debut, PURPOSE officially opens tonight, Monday, March 17, 2025, at the Helen Hayes Theater. Check out photos of the cast in action here!
Video: PURPOSE Arrives on Broadway Photo
Video: PURPOSE Arrives on Broadway
by Nicole Rosky - Mar 17, 2025

Purpose is getting ready to celebrate it's opening night! Written by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, and directed by Phylicia Rashad in her Broadway directorial debut, PURPOSE officially opens tonight, Monday, March 17, 2025, at the Helen Hayes Theater. Check out video highlights of the cast in action here.
Video: Phylicia Rashad Talks Directing Broadway's PURPOSE, Praises Collaborators Photo
Video: Phylicia Rashad Talks Directing Broadway's PURPOSE, Praises Collaborators
by Josh Sharpe - Mar 12, 2025

Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' Purpose is now in previews at the Helen Hayes Theatre, marking the Broadway directorial debut of legendary performer Phylicia Rashad. The director recently visited Sherri Shepherd's talk show to discuss her experience helming the new production.
Photos: Inside BTC's 2nd Annual BUILDING THE CHANGE Gala Photo
Photos: Inside BTC's 2nd Annual BUILDING THE CHANGE Gala
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 5, 2025

On Monday, BTC held its 2nd Annual “Building the Change” Gala at the Rainbow Room in New York City. The evening honored Phylicia Rashad. See photos from the event here!
THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS Announced At The Morgan-Wixson Theatre Photo
THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS Announced At The Morgan-Wixson Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 4, 2025

The Morgan-Wixson Theatre brings THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS to Santa Monica this season with performances from March 8 - April 6, 2025. This production of THE BEST LITTLE 
Up on the Marquee: PURPOSE Photo
Up on the Marquee: PURPOSE
by Jennifer Broski - Feb 27, 2025

Purpose is now on Broadway! Written by Tony Award-Winner Branden Jacobs-Jenkins and directed by Two-Time Tony Award-Winner Phylicia Rashad, PURPOSE stars Two-time Tony Award nominee LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Harry Lennix, Jon Michael Hill, Glenn Davis, Alana Arenas, and Tony Award-Winner Kara Young. Check out photos of the new marquee at the Hayes Theatre
Video: Watch 8 MINUTES 20 SECONDS Short Film Starring Brandon Uranowitz and Ato Blank Photo
Video: Watch 8 MINUTES 20 SECONDS Short Film Starring Brandon Uranowitz and Ato Blankson-Wood
by Josh Sharpe - Feb 26, 2025

After a successful festival run, the short film 8 MINUTES 20 SECONDS, starring stars Tony Award winner Brandon Uranowitz and Tony nominee Ato Blankson-Wood has been released on Omeleto, YouTube’s top showcase for award-winning short films. Watch it now!
Meet the Cast of PURPOSE, Beginning Previews Tonight on Broadway Photo
Meet the Cast of PURPOSE, Beginning Previews Tonight on Broadway
by Stephi Wild - Feb 25, 2025

Steppenwolf’s Purpose begins previews tonight, February 25, ahead of an opening on March 17th, and running through July 6, 2025 at the Helen Hayes Theater. Meet the cast of Purpose here!
PURPOSE Will Offer Digital and General Rush Tickets Photo
PURPOSE Will Offer Digital and General Rush Tickets
by Stephi Wild - Feb 24, 2025

The Broadway production of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins new play, PURPOSE, directed by Phylicia Rashad, has announced its Digital and General Rush Policies. Find out how to get discount tickets for Purpose here!
Photos: The Museum of Broadway Celebrates Black Storytellers of Broadway in New Exhib Photo
Photos: The Museum of Broadway Celebrates Black Storytellers of Broadway in New Exhibit
by Stephi Wild - Feb 4, 2025

The Museum Of Broadway recently celebrated its new special exhibit, Crafting Excellence: Black Storytellers of Broadway. Check out photos from the event here!
Photos: PURPOSE Broadway Cast Behind the Scenes Look Photo
Photos: PURPOSE Broadway Cast Behind the Scenes Look
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 3, 2025

You can now get a behind-the-scenes look of the Broadway cast of PURPOSE, written by Tony Award-Winner Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, and directed by Two-Time Tony Award-Winner Phylicia Rashad. Get a first look at the cast here.
Video: Meet the Company of PURPOSE on Broadway Photo
Video: Meet the Company of PURPOSE on Broadway
by Joey Mervis - Jan 28, 2025

In just a few weeks, previews will begin on Broadway for Tony Award-winner Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ new play, PURPOSE, directed by Two-time Tony Award-winner Phylicia Rashad. Watch in this video as Jacobs-Jenkins and the whole cast chats more about what audiences can expect.
Original Broadway Cast of AIN'T NO MO' To Reunite For Apollo Theater Staged Reading Photo
Original Broadway Cast of AIN'T NO MO' To Reunite For Apollo Theater Staged Reading
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 16, 2025

The Apollo will present a free staged reading of the six-time Tony Award-nominated play Ain't No Mo' performed by the original Broadway cast on Monday, January 20 at the new Apollo Stages at The Victoria Theater.
¿Works & Process to Present PURPOSE By Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, Directed By Phylicia Photo
¿Works & Process to Present PURPOSE By Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, Directed By Phylicia Rashad
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 7, 2025

Works & Process at the Guggenheim will present Purpose by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, directed by Phylicia Rashad. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Kara Young been in?

Kara Young has appeared on Broadway in 4 shows.

How many West End shows has Kara Young been in?

Kara Young has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Kara Young been nominated for?

Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Purlie Victorious, Distinguished Performance (Drama League Awards) for Purlie Victorious, Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Purlie Victorious, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Purlie Victorious, Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Cost of Living, Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Twelfth Night, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Cost of Living, Performance Award (Obie Awards) for Twelfth Night, Theatre World Awards (Theatre World Awards) for Clyde's and Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Clyde's.

What awards has Kara Young won?

Kara Young has won several prestigious awards, including the Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Play at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Purlie Victorious. She also received the Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play at the Tony Awards, again for Purlie Victorious. Additionally, she was honored with a Performance Award at the Obie Awards for her work in Twelfth Night and received the Theatre World Award for Clyde's.

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